‘You are free to go.’ Jay encompassed the wide sweep of the cove with open arms. ‘You can ride the horse back to Creek Manor, if you so wish. Or you can sail away to freedom with me.’

‘You are completely mad,’ Daisy said angrily. ‘You’ve just ruined any chance you might have had to clear your name.’

‘Don’t you think I’m used to being in the wrong? I grew up knowing that my father hated me, and my mother considered me an embarrassment. I’ve just discovered why, thanks to Tattersall.’

‘I don’t understand,’ Daisy said slowly. ‘What did he say to you, Jay?’

Chapter Seventeen

‘He took great pleasure in telling me that he’s my father,’ Jay said bitterly. ‘I was conceived out of wedlock and Lemuel Fox only married my mother out of pity.’

‘Oh, Jay. I’m so sorry, but he might be lying.’

‘I believe he was telling the truth, and it explains a lot. I can understand now why the man I’ve always thought of as my father hates the sight of me, and my mother feels shame every time she looks at me.’

‘I doubt if that’s true,’ Daisy said earnestly. ‘I’m sure your mother loves you just as much as her other children.’

‘She has to keep on the old man’s right side. He might preach peace and goodwill, but he has a fierce temper.’

‘I think you should go home and talk to your mother. Give her a chance to put things right.’

‘No, it’s too late for that. My ship’s waiting to take me far away from here.’ Jay seized both her hands, his eyes shining. ‘Come with me, Daisy. We’ll sail the world together.’

‘I’ve run away once, and I realise it’s not the answer. Please speak to your mother before you do anything rash.’

‘She’ll be better off without me. At least she might get some peace of mind if I’m far away. When you see her again, tell her I love her, and always will.’ He glanced over her shoulder at the sound of plashing oars. ‘They’ve come for me.’

She turned to see one of Jay’s crew rowing towards the shore. ‘You don’t have to go like this. I thought you were going to stand up to the squire.’

‘I’ve decided he’s not worth the trouble. Are you going to take a chance and come with me?’

‘I think you’re making a mistake.’ They were standing so close together that she could feel his breath warm on her cheek and she could see a pulse throbbing at his temple. She found herself gazing into his blue eyes, a prisoner of raging emotions that she could not explain. She tried to move away but he caught her in his arms and kissed her until her lips parted and she lost herself in a dizzying flood of emotion. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to melt into the moment, and then suddenly she was free again as Jay released her from his passionate embrace.